Methods and joints for connecting tubular members

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for securing together pipe sections by cold forging the inside end of one or more pipe sections outwardly into a surrounding collar. In the detailed description of an exemplary application, the invention is disclosed for use in connecting together the ends of subsea pipelines, J-tubes and other underwater conduits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of connecting tubular bodies togetherto form a confined passage. The specific field of the invention relatesto the connection of tubular bodies such as pipes. In the detailedexemplary description to follow, the invention is described forconnecting together underwater pipelines, J-tubes and other submergedbodies.

Joining together submerged pipelines has presented special problemsbecause conventional welding techniques and other conventional joiningprocedures cannot be employed underwater. If conventional welding is tobe attempted, an evacuated chamber must be positioned around the area tobe welded. These chambers are difficult to manage and in some casestheir use is either impractical or impossible.

A variety of mechanical connectors have been employed in an attempt tosecure the ends of pipelines together below the surface of the water.These devices are secured to the pipeline ends by mechanical grippingmeans, in some cases with the use of elastomers or adhesives and by avariety of other means. The resulting joint is frequently unreliablebecause the mechanical means slip, the elastomers fail and leak, theadhesives do not secure or the joint is improperly secured so that noseal is effected. To the extent that conventional connectors haverequired divers to perform complicated procedures and use clumsy tools,the devices have been unsatisfactory. While divers can perform simpleprocedures such as threading a nut onto a bolt, more complicatedprocedures are extremely difficult and time-consuming.

Any joint which has a restricted internal opening is undesirable becauseit is frequently desirable or necessary to run devices through thepipeline. For this reason, conventional connectors which requireinternal gripping devices and other means restricting the internalpassage of the pipeline are unsatisfactory in many applications.

The problems of attempting to join submerged pipelines are compoundedwhen the ends of the two lines are misaligned. In many cases, the endsof the pipelines cannot be shifted and it becomes necessary to connectthe ends with a connector which can suitably accommodate themisalignment.

Generally, conventional underwater pipe connectors have been difficultand expensive to use and the joints made by such connectors have beenprone to failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Pipe sections are connected together by cold forging the inside end ofone pipe section laterally outwardly into a surrounding collar.

In one form of the invention, the collar may be the end portion of asecond pipe section so that the forging connects the two sectionstogether. The second section may in turn be one end of a pipeline or maybe one end of a flange fitting or one end of another type connector orother device.

In another form of the invention, the collar may be separate from bothpipe sections in which case, the ends of both sections aresimultaneously forged into the collar to connect the sections together.Indexing means provided within the collar permits the two pipe ends tobe properly positioned before the joint is forged.

The collar is preferably provided with an internal recess. When the pipeend is forged into the collar recess, a joint is produced having ametal-to-metal seal with the connected pipe and collar beingmechanically locked together by the forged metal.

Filler material, preferably in the shape of a ring, may be positioned inthe area of the joints formed by the present invention to assist theforging in locking and holding the sections together or to produce asmooth bore opening through the joint which is of substantially the samesize as the opening though the pipe sections, or for both purposes.Indexing means on the filler ensures proper positioning of the filler onboth pipe ends before the joint is forged. The filler indexing may alsocooperate with collar indexing to provide proper alignment of the pipeends, the collar and the filler before the joint is forged.

An annular chamber may be formed externally of the joint during theforging procedure. This chamber prevents fluid entrapment which mightinterfere with the joint formation. Pressurized test fluid may also beapplied to the chamber to test the joint for leakage. The test ispreferably conducted with the forging assembly in place so that furtherforging may be quickly and easily performed if the joint isunsatisfactory.

The second pipe section may be a connector which connects the first pipesection to a third pipe section. The connector may be pre-shaped at thesurface to accommodate a known misalignment between the first and thirdpipe sections.

The connector may also include one or more rotational couplings formedby two adjoining curved sections. With the connector in the water, thesections are rotated as required to provide a total curve in theconnector which will accommodate the misalignment of the first and thirdpipe segments. The misaligned pipe segments are secured together throughthe connector by forging the connector onto the ends of the pipesegments and forging the rotational couplings to form rigid, leakproofjoints. The forging assembly may include plural forging means,prepositioned within the connector, so that all of the joints may beformed simultaneously.

Where the joints to be forged are not accessible from the ends of thepipe sections or connector, the necessary power for forging the jointsis supplied to the forging assembly through lateral openings in eitherthe pipe sections or the connector. These opening are capped orotherwise sealed when the joint is made and the forging assembly then ismoved through the pipe sections to a trap or other access place fromwhich the assembly is removed.

The preferred forging apparatus of the present invention includes aplurality of tapered rollers which are rotated about the internalsurface of the joint. The rollers are carried in a mount which isrotated by external powering means. A cone disposed centrally of therollers is driven longitudinally by hydraulic pressure to force therollers laterally outwardly. Extremely high, precisely controlledforging forces are obtainable using this apparatus.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the joint of the presentinvention provides a metal-to-metal seal in which tubular bodies arephysically locked together without use of welds, mechanical grippingdevice, adhesives, elastomers or other similar devices or materials. Thejoint may include a chamber which permits testing of the joint while theforging equipment employed in forming the joint is still in place. Bythis means, additional forging forces may be exerted on the joint ifleakage is detected. The filler material provided in the joint areaassists in locking the joined components together and may also beemployed to produce a joint opening which is the same as the openingthrough the pipe sections. As a result, pigs and other pipeline devicesmay freely pass through the joint.

The use of pre-curved connectors or adjustable connectors which may beconnected by a simple forging process, and then tested for propersealing, permits misaligned submerged pipe sections to be quickly andeasily joined.

The joint, the method of forming the joint and the assembly employed inproducing the joint are readily adaptable to underwater environments andmay be employed by devices without special equipment or the need fordifficult manipulations.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become morereadily apparent from the accompanying drawings, specification andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a submerged pipeline andJ-tube connection employing the joint of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in quarter section and partially broken awayillustrating a forging assembly forging the end of a pipe section intothe end collar of a flange connector;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross section of the joint formed by theapparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical cross section illustrating componentsincluded in a modified joint of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the joint after forging;

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical section illustrating a modified form of theinvention employed as a midline connector;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the joint after forging;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal cross sectional view illustrating a modifiedforging assembly and preformed connector employed to secure the ends oftwo misaligned pipe sections together;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross sectional view illustrating anothermodified forging assembly and an adjustable connector used to connecttwo misaligned pipe segments together;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are partial vertical cross sections, before and afterforging, respectively, illustrating a modified joint according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are partial vertical cross sections, before and afterforging, respectively, illustrating still another joint of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are partial vertical cross sections, before and afterforging, respectively, illustrating still another form of the joint ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 are partial vertical cross sections, before and afterforging, respectively, illustrating yet another form of the joint of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation depicting exemplary applications ofthe method and apparatus of the present invention. In the applicationillustrated in FIG. 1, the invention is employed to connect togetherunderwater pipeline sections and other underwater conduits. The Figureillustrates a production platform A on which is mounted a storage tankST which receives oil from a well conduit WC. The oil in the storagetank is transferred via a riser pipe RP to a submerged pipeline segmentS which connects through a T fitting T1 to a submerged pipelineindicated generally at P.

The pipeline P is comprised of a series of pipe sections P1, P2, P3, P4,P5, and P6. The pipe sections are connected together by a variety ofcoupling or joint devices which are formed by the method of the presentinvention and employ joints and apparatus of the present invention.Similarly, the connection between the riser pipe RP and the submergedpipe section S as well as the connection of the section S to theconnector T1 employ the teachings of the present invention.

The connections between the riser pipe RP and the submerged section Sare provided by mating flange connectors FC. Similar flange connectorsFC connect the section S to the T-connector T1 which in turn isconnected through flange connectors FC to the pipe sections P1 and P2.Pipe sections P2 and P3 are misaligned on the sea floor and areconnected together by an adjustable curve connector C1. As will bedescribed, the connector C1 can be manipulated by a diver to accommodatethe misalignment between the pipe sections P2 and P3.

A pig trap PT connects sections P3 and P4 and is employed to insert orremove physical devices from the pipeline which are employed formeasuring the pipeline or which may be employed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention to form the connector joints whichsecure the pipeline segments together.

A midline connector C2 connects pipe section P4 with pipe section P5. Afixed curved connector C3 joins misaligned sections P5 and P6. Theconnector C3 is preformed at the surface and has a fixed curvature toaccommodate a known or predetermined misalignment between the pipesections P5 and P6.

Each of the connections illustrated in FIG. 1, and a variety of others,may be made using the joints, apparatus and methods of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates details of the invention as it is employed to connecta flange connector onto the end of a first tubular body, such as thepipe section S. The flange connector FC is a tubular body which has anend portion or collar 11 disposed over the end portion 12 of the pipesection S. The opposite end portion 13 of the flange connector FCincludes a conventional flange plate 14 which is provided with aplurality of circumferentially disposed, longitudinally extending bores15. The bores 15 are employed in customary fashion to receive bolts (notillustrated) for securing the flange plate 14 to a similar, opposingflange plate included at the end of a mating flange connector.

A locking recess 16 is formed along the internal surface of the collar11. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the recess issubstantially annular and includes a substantially cylindrical surface16a, a shoulder 16b, a slightly inclined surface 16c and an undercutsurface 16d. When the end portion of the pipe section S is inserted intothe end opening of the collar 11, an overlapping joint area is formedbetween the two bodies. Registry of the end of the pipe section S withthe undercut section 16d provides a stop which ensures proper relativepositioning between the pipe section and collar as required to form acorrect joint. As will hereinafter be more fully explained, forging ofthe pipe section end portion 12 into the collar 11 in the overlappingjoint area provides a substantially smooth internal surface between acentral, longitudinally extending passage 17 formed in the flangeconnector FC and a central, longitudinally extending passage 18 formedin the pipe section S.

The internal surface of the joint is best illustrated in FIG. 4 as itappears following the forging operation. An annular chamber 19 is formedexternally of the passage 18 when the joint is formed. As will beappreciated from inspection of FIG. 4, the end of the pipe section Scooperates with the configuration of the recess 16 to form the annularchamber which encircles the joint. A passage 20 extending through thecollar 11 functions as an access means to the chamber 19. The recessmeans 20 provides pressure communication between the chamber 19 and anarea external to the chamber to prevent entrapment of fluid within thejoint during the joint formation and to permit pressure testing of thejoint while the forging apparatus is still in position.

An internally threaded receptacle 21 formed in the collar 11 isconnected to an hydraulic line (not illustrated in FIG. 4) during theforging of the joint. The hydraulic line functions to bleed off pressuredeveloped in the fluids trapped between the collar 11 and pipe S as thejoint is being forged. Thereafter, pressure applied through thehydraulic line is employed to test the sealing ability of the joint.After a successful joint is formed, the hole 21 is closed with athreaded plug 22.

One form of the forging apparatus of the present invention is indicatedgenerally at 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3. The apparatus 30, like otherembodiments of the invention described herein, is employed for exertinga laterally outwardly directed forging force on the internal surface ofa surrounding body. In FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the primarysurrounding body is the pipe section S which is being forged into thesurrounding collar 11.

The forging apparatus 30 includes a rotatable mounting body or cage 31within which are mounted a plurality of tapered rollers 32 constructedin the form of truncated, right circular cones. The rollers are mountedfor rotation along this longitudinal axis within the cage 31. During theforging operation, the rollers 32 are forced laterally outwardly intorolling engagement over the internal surface of the surrounding tubularbody. Each roller is equipped with end pins 33 which are received withinsemi-circular mounting plates 34. The plates 34 are in turn receivedwithin semi-circular recesses 35 formed in the cage 31. Axiallyextending pins 36 extending from the plates 34 are held laterallyinwardly by a garter spring 37 which encircles the cage and engages eachof the pins 36 and each of the plates 34. The mounting assemblycomprised of the end pins 33, plates 34, recesses 35, pins 36 andsprings 37, are exemplary of means for holding the rollers 32 in placeto prevent them from falling out of the forging assembly 30. Themounting assembly also permits the rollers to be easily removed andreplaced as may be required for repair or to forge different sizejoints. Any suitable means, however, may be employed for these purposesprovided only that the rollers 32 are rotatably mounted, positioned andretained within the cage 31 as required to exert the necessary forgingforces onto the surrounding tubular body.

The forging assembly 30 includes a centrally positioned, truncated,right circular drive cone 38. The outer conical surface of the drivecone diverges from its central axis along the same angle of divergencepresent in the outer conical surface of the rollers 32. The outerconical surfaces of the rollers ride against the outer conical surfaceof the cone 38 with the tapers of the rollers and the taper of the conebeing oppositely disposed so that the rollers contact the surroundingtubular body which is to be forged along tangential lines which areparallel to the central axis of the tubular body.

The cone 38 is movable longitudinally relative to the rollers 32.Because of the taper in the surfaces of the cone and rollers,longitudinal movement of the cone in the direction of the arrow 39causes the rollers to be moved laterally outwardly. The cooperatingaction between the rollers and cone provides extremely large radiallydirected forging forces which may be precisely controlled by alteringthe longitudinal position of the cone relative to the rollers.

Longitudinal movement of the cone 38 in the direction of the arrow 39 iseffected by applying pressurized hydraulic fluid to an annular expansionchamber 40. The fluid is initially admitted to the forging assembly 30through a hydraulic line 41 which connects through a hydraulic swivel 42to a central bore 43 in a tubular shaft 44. The swivel 42 is aconventional apparatus which provides a sealed transfer link between thestationary, non-rotating hydraulic line 41 and the rotating shaft 44.Fluid in the bore 43 is communicated through a transfer bore 45 in atransfer tube 46 to a longitudinal opening 47 and radial opening 48formed in a center shaft 49. The shaft 49 extends through a splinedconnector sleeve 50. An annular opening 51 formed between the sleeve 50and the shaft 49 completes the fluid path to the chamber 40.

The application of fluid pressure to the fluid chamber 40 exerts a forceon an annular piston 42 forming one portion of the expansion chamber 40.The pressure differential acting across the piston 52 moves the shaft 49in the direction of the arrow 39. This movement is transmitted through anut 53 threaded to the end of the shaft 49 to an annular spacer 54 andto a torque plate 55. Bolts 56 secure the torque plate 55 to the cone38. Spline elements 57 formed internally of the cone 38 mate with splineelements 58 formed on the external surface of the sleeve 50 to permitrelative longitudinal movement between the sleeve and cone whilepreventing relative rotational movement between the two components.O-ring seals 59, 60 and 61 form sealing and sliding engagement betweenthe components which are engaged by these seals to provide apressure-tight fluid path to the chamber 40 while simultaneouslypermitting relative longitudinal displacement between the components.

The body 31 is fixed longitudinally onto the sleeve 50 by a snap ring64. A thrust bearing 65 is positioned between the two components topermit relative rotational movement between the two and to accommodatethe axially directed forces induced during the forging process. Abearing seal 66 isolates the bearing 65 to assist in keeping it clean.

Rotary bearings 67 and 68 and 69 support the rotatable portions of theforging apparatus 30 within a surrounding, relatively stationary holdingassembly 70. The holding assembly 70 is employed to secure the forgingassembly 30 to the flange connector FC and to house a ring gear 71employed to impart rotary motion to the shaft 44. The assembly 70includes a base plate 72 which is secured to the opening 15 in theflange plate 14 by bolts 73. The bolts are required only to hold theassembly 70 in place and may be of the type which may be positioned andremoved by hand, without the need for a wrench or other tool. An opening72a in the plate 72 is employed as an attachment means for a line whichis used to assist in lowering and properly positioning the forgingassembly.

The base plate 72 cooperates with side walls 74 and a rear plate 75 toform a rectangular, box-like housing positioned over the ring gear 71. Acentering guide 76 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured centrally ofthe base plate 72 and a second centering guide 77 is suitably secured tothe rear plate 75 to provide alignment and support for the shaft 44. Therotary bearings 68 and 69 assist in maintaining the shaft in place andreducing the frictional forces between the rotating shaft and thestationary holding assembly. An annular seal ring 78 positioned aboutthe shaft 44 and held in place within the centering guide 77 preventswater and debris from entering the ring gear housing.

The holding assembly 70 comprises a part of the forging assembly 30 andthe components of both are connected together to form a composite,unitary assembly which is removable from the flange connector FC byremoval of the bolts 73. Similarly, when placing the forging assembly 30in position, the end of the assembly, including the rollers 32, isintroduced into the opening of the flange connector FC and pushedforward until the base plate 72 engages the flange plate 14. The bolts73 are then positioned to hold the forging assembly in place asillustrated in FIG. 2.

Rotary power is applied to the ring gear 71 by one or more hydraulicmotors 79 which are bolted onto the rear plate 75. Ports 80 and 81 tothe motor 79 are employed in customary fashion to communicatepressurized fluids to the motor for powering the assembly. The motor 79rotates a pinion gear 82 which is engaged with the ring gear 71.Suitable gearing means (not illustrated) are employed to provide therequired power reduction between the motor 79 and the pinion gear 82.While only one motor 79 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that twoor more such motors may be employed.

Rotation of the pinion gear 82 rotates the ring gear 71 which is keyedor otherwise rigidly fixed to the shaft 44 causing the shaft to rotatealso. Shaft rotation is transmitted through a connector piece 83 securedto the shaft 44 by bolts 84 which also are engaged with the base of thespline connection sleeve 50. Accordingly, as the ring gear 71 rotates,the sleeve 50 also rotates which in turn functions through the splinedconnection with the cone 38 to impart rotary motion to the cone.Rotation of the sleeve 50 rotates the cone 38 which, because of itstouching engagement with the rollers 32, causes the rollers to rotateand move along the internal surface of the pipe section S. This rollermovement in turn causes the mounting body 31 to rotate relative to thesplined sleeve 50.

An O-ring seal 85 positioned between the connector 83 and the sleeve 50cooperates with the O-ring seal 62 and the piston seals 61 and 60 todefine a compression chamber 86. This chamber is charges with air, forexample to a pressure of approximately 100 psi, and functions as areturn mechanism for returning the piston 52 in a direction opposite tothat of the arrow 39 when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in thechamber 40 is relieved. Return of the cone to its extreme right-handposition as viewed in FIG. 2 assists in removing the assembly 30 fromthe joint area after the joint has been forged. It will be understoodthat the position of the piston relative to the sleeve 50 illustrated inFIG. 2 is an intermediate position and that when the hydraulic pressureacting in the chamber 40 is relieved sufficiently, the piston 52 willmove to the extreme righthand edge of the chamber 40 causing the cone tomove to its extreme righthand position.

During the forging operation, forces are induced in the flange connectorFC which would tend to rotate it relative to the pipe section S. Toprevent this rotation, a plurality of slip segments, for example 6, arepositioned along the base of the collar 11. A slip bowl 88 having aninternally tapered wedging surface 89 is positioned over oppositelyinclined wedging surfaces 90 formed on the slip segments 87. As the bowl88 is moved longitudinally relative to the slip segments 87 in thedirection of the arrow 39, laterally inwardly directed forces areexerted on the slip segments causing teeth 91 along the lower internalsurfaces of the slips 87 to bite into the outer surface of the pipesegments S. A gripping force is thereby produced which holds the slipsstationary relative to the pipe section S. Longitudinal forces areapplied to the slip segments by hydraulic pressure which acts withinlongitudinal bores 92 formed in the base of the slip bowl 88. Thesebores cooperate with piston heads 93 to form a chamber 94 which issealed by O-ring seals 95 and 96. A connecting shaft 97 extending fromthe piston head 93 is threadedly engaged to the base of the collar 11 tohold the piston head stationary relative to the collar. The shaft 97passes through an oversized bore 98 in the slip segment 87 to permitlongitudinal movement of the slip relative to the shaft.

Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the chamber 94 by a hydraulic line 99.The application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the chamber 94 forcesthe slip bowl 88 in the direction of the arrow 39. This movementfunctions through the contacting, wedging surfaces 98 and 90 to exert alaterally inwardly directed force on the slip members 87 causing theteeth 91 to firmly grip the external surface of the pipe section S. Aplurality of such chamber and piston assemblies are preferably providedin the slip bowl 88 to apply a uniform gripping force around theassembly. The described assembly thus functions when hydraulic fluid isapplied to the line 99 to prevent relative movement between the flangeconnector FC and the pipe section S.

Operation of the Embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4

With the pipe section S on the bottom of a water body, it may bedesirable to excavate, with a jetting means or otherwise, a large cavityto provide adequate room for equipment and personnel. Once the end ofthe pipe section S is accessible, the pipe end is internally tapered asillustrated in FIG. 2 using any suitable conventional grinding orcutting means or other suitable means. (In certain of the joints to behereinafter described, there is no necessity to bevel the ends of thepipe section.)

The flange connector FC is positioned over the pipe section S asillustrated in FIG. 2 with the bevelled end of the pipe section inengagement with the undercut surface 16d so that the flange connectorand end of the pipe section S are properly indexed. Hydraulic pressureis then applied to the conduit 99 to cause the flange connector to berigidly secured to the pipe section S. The forging assembly 30 is theninserted into the end of the flange connector and the bolts 73 arepositioned to hold the assembly in place as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thepressurized gas in the chamber 86 maintains the cone 38 in its extremeright-hand location so that the rollers 32 are free to retract radiallyas they are positioned within the end of the pipe section S. During theinsertion procedure, the garter springs 37 function to urge the rollersradially inwardly and hold the rollers in place within the cage 31.

Fluid pressure is supplied through the hydraulic line 41, the hydraulicswivel 42, central shaft bore 43, transfer bore 45, opening 47, radialopening 48, and annular opening 51 to the chamber 40. Pressurized fluidacting in the chamber 40 drives the piston 52 in the direction of thearrow 39. Piston movement is transferred through the center shaft 49 tothe nut 53, spacer 54 and transfer plate 55 which engages the largediameter end of the cone 38. As the cone 38 moves in the direction ofthe arrow 39, it draws the outer conical surface of the cone intoengagement with the outer conical surface of the rollers 32. This inturn causes the rollers 32 to move laterally outwardly into firmengagement with the internal surface of the end portion 12 of the pipesection S. Hydraulic power is then applied to the motor 79 through theports 80 and 81 causing the pinion gear 82 to rotate the ring gear 71.Rotation of the ring gear causes the shaft 44 to rotate which in turnimparts rotary motion through the bolts 84 and connector 83 to theconnector sleeve 50. This rotational movement acts through the splineconnectors 57 and 58 to impart rotary motion to the cone 38.

Rotation of the cone 38 against the rollers 32 causes the rollers torotate, which in turn causes the cage 31 to rotate relative to thesleeve 50. The hydraulic power applied through the line 41 and to themotor 79 is continued as required to force the rollers outwardlysufficiently for forging the pipe end 12 into the collar recess 16.While the joint is being forged, the access means 20 is employed topermit escape of any trapped fluid between the pipe end 12 and thecollar 11. When the joint has been forged into the configurationillustrated in FIG. 4, a connector (not illustrated) secured in thethreaded socket 21 is employed to apply hydraulic fluid pressure to theaccess means 20 which in turn communicates with the annular chamber 19.If the joint between the pipe end 12 and collar 11 is inadequate, thepressure of the fluid in the chamber 19 will decrease during the testperiod. If this occurs, the forging operation is repeated, if desired,using additional laterally directed forging forces by increasing thepressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied through the line 41. The testis again repeated to verify formation of a good joint. If the joint willstill not hold pressure along the chamber 19, the forging procedure isagain repeated. When a good joint is obtained, the hydraulic lineconnected to the socket 21 is removed and the plug 22 is threaded intoplace to seal the access opening 20 and chamber 19.

When the joint has been successfully forged, the hydraulic pressure inthe line 41 is terminated causing the compressed air in the chamber 86to force the piston 52 and the cone 38 in the direction opposite to thedirection of the arrow 39. By thus displacing the cone relative to therollers 32, the rollers are freed to move laterally inwardly. Transfertube 46 functions to maintain the required pressure seal in the chamber86 as the piston 52 moves to its bottom position where the chamber 40contains its minimum volumn. The transfer tube correspondingly functionsto assure adequate pressure communication between the hydraulic fluidssupplied from the line 41 to the pressure chamber 40 when the piston 52is at the far righthand extreme of its motion.

With the pressure in the chamber 40 released, the bolts 73 are removedand the forging assembly is extracted from the flange connector FC. Thehydraulic connectors to the chambers 94 are disconnected and the jointis complete. Thereafter, a second flange connector may be mated againstthe plate 14 and suitable rings, bolts and other customary componentsmay be employed to securely connect the mating flange connectorstogether in a leakproof joint.

If desired, the slip and bowl assemblies may be removed for use informing a second connector. To this end, the slip bowl 88 is comprisedof a series of segments rather than a continuous annular body. Thelocking assembly is removed by unthreading the shafts 97 which releasethe slip segments and bowl segments from engagement with the collar 11.

Alternate Embodiments

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified joint assembly which may be employedwith the present invention. The joint may be formed using the forgingassembly 30 described with reference to the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 andfollowing the method described with respect to such figures. Themodified joint of FIGS. 5 and 6 includes an annular collar 100 which issimilar to the collar 11 of FIGS. 2-4. The collar 100 is equipped with alocking recess 101 which includes a first curved section 102, a shoulder103, a second curved section 104 and an end shoulder 105. An accesspassage 106 communicates with a threaded bore 107 for the same purposeas described previously with reference to the joint illustrated in FIGS.2-4.

An annular filler means indicated generally at 108 is positioned at theend of a tubular body 109. The filler means 108 includes an outwardlyextending rim 110 and annular body portion 111. The rim 110 ispositioned between the end of the body 109 and the recess shoulder 105.The shoulder 105 thus functions as an indexing means which ensures thatthe filler 108 and pipe 110 are in proper relative position. The rim 110also functions to ensure that the filler 108 is properly positionedrelative to the end of the tubular body 109 and the recess 101.

Forging the joint using the forging apparatus 30 in the mannerpreviously described produces a joint as illustrated in FIG. 6. In thisjoint, the body 109 has an internal flow passage 112 which has the samelateral dimensions as the longitudinal opening 113 extending through thecollar 100. When the joint is forged using a forging means such as theapparatus 30, the joint passage indicated generally at 114 hassubstantially the same lateral dimensions as both the opening 112 andthe opening 113. This is accomplished with assistance from the fillermeans 111 which, during the forging procedure, fills in the voidprovided by the recess 101.

The filler means 108, which is removably received within the body 109cooperates with the end of the body 109 and the contour of the recess101 to leave a chamber 115 after the forging has been accomplished. Thechamber 115 is annular and communicates with the access means 106 toprovide an escape passage for trapped fluids and to permit testing ofthe joint.

The collar 100 shown in FIG. 5 may be connected to one end of a pipesection, to a flange plate or to any other type body. Similarly, thebody 109 may be the end of a pipeline, or a fitting which in turn isconnected to another fitting means, or other device.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in whichthree tubular bodies are connected together using the forging apparatusand technique of the present invention. The connector of FIGS. 7 and 8may be of the type indicated as C2 in FIG. 1.

If the joint illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is to be employed, forexample, as a midline connector to form the connector C2, a modifiedforging apparatus, similar to those to be hereinafter described, isemployed for providing the forging force. Such modified forging meansare required, for example, where the pipe end is not readily accessibleas in the case of the joint described with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, a first tubular body 201 is shownreceived within one end of a second tubular body or collar 202. A thirdtubular body 203 is received in the opposite end of the collar 202. Alongitudinal central passage 204 extends through the body 201 and asimilar passage 205 extends through the body 203. The bodies 201 and 203may be, for example, pipe segments at the end of submerged pipelines. Ofcourse, it will be appreciated that the bodies 201 and 203 may be anyother tubular bodies which are to be joined together.

The ends of the bodies 201 and 203 engage an annular indexing ridge 206formed along the external surface of an annular filler means 207 whichis received within the end openings of the two bodies. The second bodyor collar 202 includes a locking recess 208 formed along the internalsurface of the collar. The recess 208 includes a cylindrical surface 209disposed between tapered surfaces 210 and 211 at each end of the recess.An access opening 212 extends radially through the collar 202 from thelocking recess 208. A hydraulic line 213 is sealingly engaged with aninternally threaded bore 214 to provide fluid communication between theaccess opening 212 and the hydraulic line.

The assembly illustrated in FIG. 7 provides an overlapping joint area JAcomprised of the ends of the pipe segments 201 and 203 within the collar202. The joint is formed by forging the filler means 207 and the ends ofpipe segments 201 and 203 laterally outwardly in this overlapping jointarea and into the locking recess 208 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Aresulting joint opening 215 is produced which has the same lateraldimensions as the openings 204 and 205 in the joined pipe segments.

A chamber 216 is also formed between the outer surface of the ridge 206,the ends of the pipe segments 201 and 203 and the cylindrical surface209 of the collar 202. The chamber 216, which is annular and extendscompletely around the joint, is employed for testing and to preventfluid entrapment. When the proper joint has been formed, a plug 217 isthreaded into the bore 214 to seal the passage.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified form of the invention in which a modifiedforging apparatus 300 is employed to form a connection, such as theconnection C3, for the purpose of connecting together misaligned pipesegments 301 and 302. To this end, midline connectors 303 and 304 areemployed to secure a precurved pipe segment 305 to the ends of pipesegments 301 and 302. The joints 303 and 304 are similar to the jointillustrated with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The curved pipe segment 305is welded together or otherwise shaped to accommodate the misalignmentbetween pipe segments 302 and 301. Where the pipe segments 301 and 302are submerged pipelines or conduits, the section 305 is fabricated abovewater using conventional welding or other conventional pipe formingtechniques. The forging assembly 300 is then positioned within the pipesegments 305 at the surface and the composite assembly is loweredthrough the water into position between pipe segments 301 and 302.

The forging assembly 300 includes a forging head 306 illustrated inforging position within the joint 303 and a second forging head 307illustrated in forging position within the joint 304. A central driveand supply assembly indicated generally at 308 is employed to supplyrotary mechanical power and pressurized hydraulic fluid to the forgingheads 306 and 307. Mechanical power is supplied to a ring gear 309 whichacts through a shaft 310 to impart rotary motion through a universaljoint, indicated generally at 311, to a slip spline 312. The slip splinein turn acts through a second universal joint 313 to rotate a centraldrive shaft 314.

The shaft 314, when rotated, functions like the shaft 44 described withreference to FIG. 2, causing a central drive cone in the head 307 torotate and in turn impart rotary motion to a plurality of conicalrollers 315. Hydraulic fluid for longitudinally moving the cone in thehead 307 is supplied by a conduit 316 which extends through the shaft314, through the universal joint 313, through the slip spline 312,through the universal joint 311, and through the ring gear 309 to arotating hydraulic swivel 317a. The conduit includes flexible sectionsin the areas of the U-joints 311 and 313 and telescoping segments withinthe spline 312 so that the spline may be elongated and foreshortened andthe conduit may be flexed and bent without loss of fluid pressure in theconduit 316. Devices of this type are conventional and well known andany suitable means for transporting the necessary mechanical andhydraulic power to the forging heads may be employed. The operation ofthe forging head 307 is identical to that described previously withreference to the forging assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 with theexception that the power and hydraulic fluid are supplied differently.

The forging head 306 which is identical to the forging head 307, butoppositely disposed, is propelled by a slip spline 317 and supplied by ahydraulic line 318. A ring gear 319 rotates the spline 317 which in turnrotates the drive cone included in the forging head 306.

The ring gears 309 and 319 are mounted within a rigid housing 320. Apinion gear 321 engages both of the ring gears. When the gear 322rotates a counter-rotating movement is imparted to the two ring gears.Thus, for example, if the ring gear 309 is rotated in a clockwisedirection, the ring gear 319 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction.The rotary hydraulic swivel 317 is conventional and operates to maintainfluid connection between the rotating hydraulic conduits 316 and 318 anda stationary inlet supply line 322.

A square shaft 323 fixed to the base of the pinion gear 321 engages asquare hole formed in a drive sleeve 324 so that rotary motion in thesleeve 324 is imparted to the shaft 323 and in turn to the pinion gear321 for effecting the described counterrotation of the ring gears 319and 309. The sleeve 324 is a part of a hydraulic motor drive assembly325 which is bolted onto a flange plate 326 in a lateral connectoropening 327. A hydraulic line 328 supplies pressurized hydraulic fluidto the motor 325 which energizes the motor which in turn imparts rotarymotion to the drive sleeve 324.

A second lateral connector opening 329, disposed diametrically acrossfrom the opening 327, receives a hydraulic supply line 330 which slipsover the end of the inlet supply line 322. Hydraulic fluid supplied bythe line 330 is transmitted through the line 322, to the rotaryhydraulic swivel 317a and the tubes 318 and 316 to the two forgingheads. The entire assembly 308 is centralized within the pipe segment305 by rubber discs 331 and 332.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 9

Assuming that two misaligned pipe segments are to be connected below thesurface of the water, an access hole is preferably excavated in thewater bottom to provide ample room for the men and equipment to beemployed in forming the connection. The pipe segment 305 is preformed atthe surface and the forging assembly 300 is positioned within thesegment with the forging heads 306 and 307 being pushed inwardly towardthe drive and supply assembly 308. In this configuration, the slipsplines 312 and 317 are fully collapsed so that the forging heads arecompletely contained within the precurved pipe segment 305.

The collar portion 304a of the joint 304 is positioned over the pipesegment 301 and the end collar section 303a of the joint 303 ispositioned over the pipe segment 302. The pipe segment 305 is thenplaced between the ends of segments 301 and 302 and the collar segments304a and 303a are centered over the joint area as illustrated in FIG. 9.The supply line 330 is inserted through the lateral opening 329 andpositioned over the inlet line 322. The drive sleeve 324 is insertedinto the lateral opening 327 and over the square drive shaft 323. Themotor 325 is then bolted onto the flange 326 of the opening 327 to holdthe motor in place.

Hydraulic pressure is applied from the line 330 and is imparted to thetubes 316 and 318. This hydraulic pressure initially causes the splines312 and 317 to elongate which in turn forces the forging heads 306 and307 out of the pipe segment 305 and into the positions illustrated inFIG. 9. Stops (not illustrated) are provided on the spline shafts 312and 317 to ensure that the forging heads are pushed to the correctposition for forming the joints 303 and 304. These stops are set at thesurface using any conventional means.

With the forging heads positioned as illustrated in FIG. 9, hydraulicpressure is again supplied through the line 330 to cause the drive conesin both of the forging heads to force the rollers radially outwardlyinto the overlapping joint area. Hydraulic fluid power is suppliedthrough the line 328 to supply the motor 325 which in turn forces thesleeve 324 to rotate. Rotation of the sleeve 324 causes the shaft 323 torotate which in turn rotates the pinion gear 321 effectingcounterrotation of the ring gears 319 and 309. Thus, the forging heads306 and 307 are supplied with rotating mechanical power and hydraulicpower for exerting laterally outwardly directed forces on the rollers ineach of the forging heads. By this means, the joints 304 and 305 areforged in the manner described with reference to the previousembodiment.

For purposes of illustration, FIG. 9 illustrates the joint 303 as itappears when forged and joint 304 as it appears before the joint isforged. In practice, it will be appreciated that both joints will beforged simultaneously. The counterrotation of the two forging headsproduced during the forging steps produces offsetting torque forceswhich prevent the assembly 308 from rotating. The rigidity of the drivesleeve 324 also assists in preventing rotation of the entire forgingassembly 300 within the pipe segment.

While a conventional filler means 304b with an indexing means 304c maybe employed at one end of the connection, provision is made at theopposite end for use of a filler means 303b which has no indexing ridgesto be positioned after the pipe sections 302 and 305 are in place. Thisis done by temporarily affixing the filler means 303b centrally over therollers of the forging head 306. The filler means 303b is properlypositioned in the overlapping joint area when the forging head is pushedinto its forging position. The forging step overcomes the temporaryadhesive or fixing means so that the forging head may be retrievedleaving the filled forged in place. It will be appreciated, also, thatif necessary, a joint similar to that described in FIGS. 2-4 may beemployed without the use of a filler means. Other suitable joints of thetype hereinafter described may also be employed.

After the joints 303 and 304 have been formed, the line 330 is removedfrom the opening 329 and the motor 325 and shaft 324 are removed fromthe lateral opening 327. Metal flange plates (not illustrated) arebolted or otherwise secured to the lateral openings to seal off thepassages. The entire forging assembly 300 is then pumped or otherwisedisplaced through the pipe segments 301 or 302 to a pig trap or otherrecovery place where it is removed from the pipeline.

FIG. 10 illustrates a modified connector of the invention in which afirst pipe segment 402 is secured to a second pipe segment 403 which inturn is connected to a third pipe segment 404. The connector of FIG. 10is of the type indicated at C1 in FIG. 1. The segment 403 is adjustableso that its total curve may be altered to accommodate the misalignmentbetween the pipe segments 402 and 404. A modified forging assembly,indicated generally at 405, is employed in forging the multiple jointsemployed in the connection. The pipe segment 403 includes two rotationalcouplings indicated generally at 406 and 407. The coupling 407 connectstogether a first curved rotational section 408 and a relativelyrotational section 409. The coupling 406 connects together the section408 and a relatively rotational section 410. The ends of the sections410, 408 and 403 are enlarged and are loosely received within lockingrecesses in the joints 406 and 407. The joints 406 and 407 initiallyretain the sections together, while permitting relative rotationalmovement between the sections.

The joint 406 includes a collar 411 comprised of parts 411a and 411b,welded together to form the locking recess which holds the enlarged endof the connected segments 408 and 410. An annular filler means 412 ispositioned between the segments. Similarly, components 413a and 413b arewelded together to form a collar 413 which holds together the enlargedends of the pipe sections 408 and 403 in the joint 407. An annularfiller 414 is disposed between the ends of the two pipe sections. Theend joints include a collar section 415 at the end of the pipe section410 and a collar section 416 at the end of the pipe section 403.

Forging heads 417, 418, 419, and 420 are driven by a power and supplyassembly 421 in a manner similar to that described previously withrespect to the assembly of FIG. 9. Suitable linking means are providedbetween the assembly 421 and the various forging heads to transmitrotary mechanical power and hydraulic fluid pressure to the forgingheads in a manner similar to that previously described.

The assembly of FIG. 10 permits the pipe segment 402 and the pipesegment 404 to be connected even though the precise misalignment betweenthe two is not known before the connector 403 is put in place. This iseffected by rotating the segments 409, 408 and 410 relative to eachother within the collars 411 and 413 until the segment 403 attains adesired total curve sufficient to join the segments 402 and 404.Thereafter, hydraulic power supplied to the assembly 421 causes theheads 417 and 420 to extend into proper position within the joints 415and 416. The heads 418 and 419 are prepositioned and fixed within thesegment 403 before the segment is lowered into the water.

The application of rotary motion to the assembly 421 causes the forgingheads to exert radially outwardly directed forging forces which in turnform secured, sealed joints at each of the overlapping joint areas. Theheads 419 and 420 rotate in one direction and the heads 417 and 418rotate in the opposite direction. The forged joints are tested aspreviously described and reforged if necessary. Once the forging occurs,the joints 406 and 407 are no longer relatively rotational and a tightfluid joint is formed between the rotational sections. The hydraulicsupply and mechanical supply lines are removed from the assembly whenthe joints have been properly formed. The lateral access openings aresealed and the forging apparatus 405 is removed from the pipeline.Components and procedures employed in the form of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 10 but not expressly described are similar tocorresponding components and procedures described elsewhere herein.

It may be noted that a modified form of joint is illustrated in thejoints 415 and 416. In these forms of the joint, plural access openingssuch as 415a and 415b are connected to the external test line to preventfluid entrapment and to also permit testing of the joint. It will beappreciated that the internal flow passage formed within the joint 415and the joint 416 will be slightly larger than that of the adjoiningpipe segment. By contrast, the passages through the joints 406 and 407will have the same lateral dimensions as that of the adjoining pipesegments because of the presence of the filler material. Other joints ofthe present invention may also be employed in the connector if necessaryor desirable.

A modified joint of the present invention is illustrated generally at450 in FIG. 11. A first tubular body 451 is to be joined with a secondtubular body 452. The overlapping joint area indicated generally at 453includes a filler means 454 which is integrally formed with the tubularbody 451. The filler means 454 is in the form of an annular internalridge which projects inwardly from a longitudinally extending passage455 included in the first body. The passage 455 has the same lateraldimensions as a longitudinally extending flow passage 456 formedinternally of the body 452. An annular collar 457 is integrally formedat the end of the tubular body 452. The collar 457 includes an annularinternal locking recess 458 which accommodates the material included inthe filler means 454 and the end portion of the tubular body 451 whichis forged outwardly during the forging procedure. An annular channel 459formed along the internal surface of the collar 457 cooperates with anaccess means 460 to provide a fluid vent and a test chamber in themanner and for the purposes previously described. The outside diameterof the members 451 and 452 are the same and the end opening 461 of thecollar is of the same size so that the tubular body 451 is receivablewithin the end of the body 452. The opposite internal surface 462 of thecollar 457 functions as an indexing means to assist in properlypositioning the end portion, including the filler means 454, of thetubular body 451 within the collar 457.

During the forging procedure, a forging means is disposed within the endof the body 451, internally of the filler means 454. The forging meansforges the filler 454 and the end of the body 451 laterally outwardlyinto the recess 458. The dimensions of the recess 458 are such as toreceive so much of the filler means and the end of body 451 as isrequired to form an internal opening 463 through the joint ofsubstantially the same lateral dimensions as those of the passages 455and 456. The forging thus produces a tight, locked-together jointbetween the bodies 451 and 452. The annular groove 459 forms a chamberwith the external surface of the tubular body 451 so that the fluidtrapped between the end portion and the overlying collar may becommunicated to an area external to the chamber and further permitstesting of the joint to ensure proper sealing.

FIG. 13 illustrates a modified joint of the present invention indicatedgenerally at 500. The joint 500 is similar to the previously describedjoint 450 with the exception that first and second tubular bodies 501and 502 include an overlapping joint area 503 in which a filler means504 is separate from the first and second bodies. The filler 504 is anannular member which has a tubular body portion 504a received within theend portion of the body 501 and an external rim section 504b whichproduces the same effective function as the previously described joint450. The advantage of the joint 500 is that the unmodified end of a pipesegment 501 may be equipped with the removable filler means whereas thejoint 450 requires preforming of the end portion of the tubular body toprovide a filler means.

FIG. 14 illustrates the joint after forging. As with the previouslydescribed joint 450, the internal passage through the joint has the samelateral dimensions as the flow passage through the joint pipe segments501 and 502. In other respects, the joint 500 is similar to the joint450.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate still another embodiment of the joint of thepresent invention indicated generally at 600. The joint 600 employs nofiller means so that the resulting joint passage has a larger lateralopening than the longitudinal flow passages through the joined tubularbodies 601 and 602. A plurality of grooves 603 are formed along theinternal surface of a locking recess 604 provided within a collar 605which is integrally formed with the tubular body 601. Chamber grooves606 communicate through access passages 607 with the external area ofthe collar 605 to provide venting and testing functions as previouslydescribed.

The forged joint is illustrated in FIG. 16. The several recesses 603assist in locking the two bodies 601 and 602 together and further assistin providing a leakproof seal in the joint.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a modified joint of the present inventiongenerally at 700. The joint 700 is employed to secure together a firsttubular body 701, a second tubular body or collar 702 and a thirdtubular body 703. As with the previously described embodiments, thetubular body 701 and/or 703 may be the ends of pipelines, the ends offlange connectors, or may be tubular portions of any other device. Anannular filler means 704 is positioned within the end portions of bothof the bodies 701 and 703. An indexing ridge 705 formed along theexternal surface of the filler means 704 functions as a stop whichproperly indexes the end portions of the tubular bodies 701 and 703relative to the filler means 704. An internal annular projection 706extending radially inwardly from a locking recess 707 in the collar 702similarly functions as a stopping means which indexes the end portion ofthe bodies 701 and 703 relative to the collar 702.

In assembling the joint 700, the collar 702 is first placed over the endportion of the tubular body 701, the filler means 704 may then bepositioned within the end portion of the tubular body 701 or may bepreviously disposed therein, or if desired, may be disposed within theend portion of the tubular body 703. The body 703 is then inserted intothe opposite end of the collar 702 so that the components of the jointassembly are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 17.

The indexing ridge 706 includes tapered side surfaces 708 and 709. Theseend surfaces are designed to fit smoothly against the end surfaces 701aand 703a, respectively, of the tubular bodies 701 and 703 when the jointis forged. Annular grooves 710 and 711 are formed along the internalsurface of the recess 707 to function as exhaust conduits and to form aportion of the test chamber for the purposes previously described.Oppositely tapered surfaces 712 and 713 within the recess 707 each meet,respectively, with cylindrical surfaces 714 and 715 which in turn eachrespectively meet with smaller tapering surfaces 716 and 717. Thesesurfaces provide an internal locking recess which has a contour designedspecifically to receive the outwardly forged ends of the tubular bodies701 and 703 to provide a superior joint. Similarly, the external endsurfaces of the filler means 704 are tapered as at 718 to assist inproviding superior joining and sealing properties in the joint 700.

FIG. 18 illustrates the joint after formation with the central flowpassage through the joint having the same lateral dimensions as thecentral flow passage through the tubular bodies 701 and 703. The annulargrooves 710 and 711 cooperate with the ends of the tubular bodies toform chambers which communicate with an area external to the jointthrough access openings 722 and 723. As with the previously describedembodiments, once the joint is properly formed, a plug or other deviceis inserted into an internally threaded socket 724 to seal the accessopenings.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in theinvention may be made within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Thus, by way of examplerather than limitation, while the invention has been described forunderwater, it may also be employed to advantage in connecting suchconduits above water. Thus, use for surface pipeline connections or tojoin pipe on a surface vessel before the pipe is lowered into the waterare well within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, theinvention may be used to fabricate structures such as offshoreproduction platforms and other structures which employ interconnectedtubular bodies in their construction.

I claim:
 1. An assembly for connecting tubular bodies togethercomprising:(a) first and second tubular bodies, each of which includesat least one end portion with an end opening in communication therewith,said first body end portion being receivable within said second body endopening to form an overlapping joint area; (b) a longitudinallyextending passage included in said first body in communication with saidfirst body end opening; (c) forging means receivable within said firstbody end opening for forging said first body laterally outwardly againstsaid second body in said overlapping joint area to form a joint betweensaid first and second bodies; (d) indexing means for limiting axialinward movement of said first body into said second body; (e) means tourge said first body into said second body and to effect engagement ofsaid indexing means; and (f) means operatively connected to said firstand second bodies to restrain relative rotational movement of said firstand second bodies and relative axial outward movement of said first bodyfrom said second body.
 2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein theinternal surface of said second body includes a locking recess foraccommodating material forged laterally by said forging means to locksaid bodies together.
 3. An assembly as defined in claim 1 furtherincluding:(a) a third body having an end portion with an end opening incommunication therewith; (b) a longitudinally extending passage includedin said third body in communication with said third body end opening;and (c) a second end opening in said second body for receiving saidthird body end portion to form a second overlapping joint area, saidforging means being receivable within said end openings in said firstand third bodies for forging both said first and third bodies laterallyoutwardly in both said overlapping joint areas for forming a jointbetween said first, second and third bodies.
 4. The assembly of claim 3including filler means extending laterally inwardly from said passagewithin said overlapping joint area, said filler means being forgedlaterally outwardly with said first and second bodies.
 5. An assembly asdefined in claim 4 wherein the internal surface of said second bodyincludes a locking recess for accommodating material forged laterally bysaid forging means to lock said bodies together.
 6. An assembly asdefined in claim 5 wherein said locking recess is dimensioned to receivesuch of said filler means and said first and third bodies displaced bysaid forging means as is required to form an internal opening throughsaid joint of substantially the same lateral dimensions as those of thepassages in said first and third bodies.
 7. An assembly as defined inclaim 5 wherein:(a) said first and third bodies are longitudinallyextending pipe segments with central flow passages; (b) said second bodyis a collar adapted to fit concentrically over adjoining ends of saidpipe segments; (c) said filler means comprises an annular member havingportions receivable within said adjoining ends of said pipe segments;and (d) said locking recess is dimensioned to receive displaced portionsof said filler and the ends of said pipe segments to provide an annularinternal surface within said joint which is of substantially the sameradial dimensions as said central flow passages in said pipe segments.8. An assembly as defined in claim 7 further including:(a) means forforming chambers between said collar and each of said segments forcommunicating fluid pressure between said chambers and an area externalto said chambers; and (b) said indexing means including means forstopping said first and third bodies at predetermined positions in saidcollar.
 9. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said forging meansincludes means for displacing said first body laterally outwardly untilsaid joint has an internal opening of substantially the same lateralsize as said first body passage.
 10. An assembly as defined in claim 1further including chamber forming means for forming a chamber externalto said first body passage and in pressure communication with anexternal area when said joint is formed.
 11. An assembly as defined inclaim 1 wherein said forging means includes:(a) a mounting meansrotatable within said first body end opening and said filler means; (b)a plurality of rollers rotatably carried in said mounting means; (c)extending means for forcing said rollers laterally outwardly; (d)rotating means for rotating said mounting means as said rollers areextended.
 12. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said forgingmeans includes:(a) a mounting means rotatable within said first body endopening and said filler means; (b) a plurality of rollers rotatablycarried in said mounting means; (c) extending means for forcing saidrollers laterally outwardly; and (d) rotating means for rotating saidmounting means as said rollers are extended.
 13. The assembly of claim 1including filler means extending laterally inwardly from said passagewithin said overlapping joint area, said filler means being forgedlaterally outwardly with said first body.
 14. An assembly as defined inclaim 13 wherein said filler means is an annular member.
 15. An assemblyas defined in claim 13 wherein said filler means is an annular memberseparate from said first and second bodies.
 16. An assembly for securingtubular bodies together comprising:(a) first and second tubular bodies,each having at least one end portion with an end opening incommunication therewith, said first body including a longitudinallyextending passage communicating with said first body end opening, andsaid first body end portion being receivable within said second body endopening to form an overlapping joint area; (b) indexing means forlimiting axial inward movement of said first body into said second body;(c) means to urge said first body into said second body and to effectengagement of said indexing means; and (d) means operatively connectedto said first and second bodies to restrain relative rotational movementof said first and second bodies and relative axial outward movement ofsaid first body from said second body; (e) forging means receivablewithin said first body end opening for forging said first body laterallyoutwardly against said second body in said overlapping joint area toform a joint between said first and second bodies; (f) chamber formingmeans for forming a chamber external to said first body passage and ingenerally surrounding relationship to said overlapping joint area whensaid joint is formed; and (g) access means for providing pressurecommunication between said chamber and an area external to said chamber.17. An assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein said forging meansincludes means for displacing said joint area laterally outwardly untilsaid joint has an internal opening of substantially the same lateralsize as said first body passage.
 18. An assembly as defined in claim 16wherein the internal surface of said second body includes a lockingrecess for accommodating material forged laterally by said forging meansto lock said bodies together.
 19. An assembly as defined in claim 18further including:(a) a third body having an end portion with an endopening in communication therewith; (b) a longitudinally extendingpassage included in said third body in communication with said thirdbody end opening; and (c) a second end opening in said second body forreceiving said third body end portion to form a second overlapping jointarea, said forging means being receivable within said end openings insaid first and third bodies for forging said first and third bodieslaterally outwardly in both said overlapping joint areas for forming ajoint between said first, second and third bodies.
 20. An assembly asdefined in claim 19 wherein said forging means includes means fordisplacing said joint area laterally outwardly until said joint has aninternal opening of substantially the same lateral size as said firstbody passage.
 21. An assembly as defined in claim 20 wherein saidindexing means include means for stopping said first and third bodies atpredetermined locations within said second body.
 22. An assembly asdefined in claim 16 wherein said forging means includes:(a) a mountingmeans rotatable within said first body end opening and said fillermeans; (b) a plurality of rollers rotatably carried in said mountingmeans; (c) extending means for forcing said rollers laterally outwardly;and (d) rotating means for rotating said mounting means as said rollersare extended.
 23. A method of connecting first and second submergedtubular segments together comprising the steps of:(a) disposing an endof said first tubular segment into a connector so as to produce anoverlapping joint area, there being indexing means for limiting theinward movement of said end of said first tubular segment into saidconnector; (b) urging said first tubular segment into said connector andeffecting engagement of said indexing means; (c) restraining relativerotational movement of said connector and said first tubular segment andrelative axial outward movement of said first tubular segment from saidconnector with means operatively connected to said connector and saidfirst tubular segment; (d) forging the end of said first tubular segmentin the area of said overlapping joint area laterally outwardly againstsaid connector to form a joint which mechanically locks said firsttubular segment to said connector, and; (e) connecting said connector tosaid second tubular segment while said second tubular segment is atleast partially submerged.
 24. A method as defined in claim 23 whereinsaid second segment is connected to said connector as a part of saidjoint by forging the end of said second segment and said connectortogether.
 25. A method as defined in claim 23 further including the stepof applying fluid pressure to a confined chamber disposed externally ofsaid first segment to test for leakage through said joint.
 26. A methodas defined in claim 23 further including the steps of:(a) includingfilling means within the end of said first segment; and (b) forging saidfilling means and said first segment laterally outwardly into saidconnector to form said joint.
 27. A method as defined in claim 23wherein said second segment includes at least one rotational couplingwhich secures two relatively rotational sections and said methodcomprises the further step of forming a sealed joint of said rotationalcoupling by forging said rotational coupling together.
 28. A method asdefined in claim 27 wherein said section and said segment are forgedlaterally outwardly substantially simultaneously to form said joints.29. A method as defined in claim 23 further including the steps of:(a)supplying power to a forging apparatus contained within one or more ofsaid segments or connector through one or more lateral openings formedin one or more of said segments or connector; (b) sealing said lateralopenings after said joint is formed; and (c) removing said forgingapparatus from said segments or connector.
 30. A method as defined inclaim 24 wherein said second segment is curved to accommodatemisalignment between said first and a third segment and including thefurther step of connecting said second segment to said third segment.31. A method as defined in claim 30 further including the steps of:(a)supplying power to a forging apparatus contained within one or more ofsaid segments or connector through one or more lateral openings formedin one or more of said segments or connector; (b) sealing said lateralopenings after said joint is formed; and (c) removing said forgingapparatus from said segments or connector.
 32. A method as defined inclaim 31 wherein said forging includes the step of rolling a pluralityof rollers over the internal surface of said joint.
 33. A method asdefined in claim 32 wherein said rollers are forced against the internalsurface of said joint by a central cone upon which said rollers ride,said cone being moved longitudinally relative to said rollers duringsaid forging step for forcing said rollers laterally outwardly.
 34. Amethod as defined in claim 33 further including the step of applyingfluid pressure to a confined chamber disposed externally of said firstsegment to test for leakage through said joint.
 35. A method as definedin claim 30 wherein said second segment includes at least one rotationalcoupling having two relatively rotational curved sections, and includingthe further steps of:(a) altering the total curve in said second segmentby rotating said sections relative to each other to accommodate saidmisalignment; and (b) forming a sealed joint of said rotational couplingby forging said rotational coupling together.
 36. A method as defined inclaim 35 wherein a plurality of said rotational couplings are includedin said joint and including the step of:(a) altering the total curve insaid second segment by rotating the segments in each rotational couplingrelative to each other to accommodate said misalignment; and (b) forminga sealed joint of each of said rotational couplings by forging saidrotational couplings together.
 37. A method as defined in claim 35further including the steps of:(a) supplying power to a forgingapparatus contained within one or more of said segments or connectorthrough one or more lateral openings formed in one or more of saidsegments or connector; (b) sealing said lateral openings after saidjoint is formed; and (c) removing said forging apparatus from saidsegments or connector.
 38. A method as defined in claim 37 wherein saidforging includes the step of rolling a plurality of rollers over theinternal surface of said joint.
 39. A method as defined in claim 38wherein said rollers are forced against the internal surface of saidjoint by a central cone upon which said rollers ride, said cone beingmoved longitudinally relative to said rollers during said forging stepfor forcing said rollers laterally outwardly.
 40. A method as defined inclaim 39 further including the step of applying fluid pressure to aconfined chamber disposed externally of said first segment to test forleakage through said joint.
 41. A method as defined in claim 23 whereinsaid forging includes the step of rolling a plurality of rollers overthe internal surface of said joint.
 42. A method as defined in claim 41wherein said rollers are forced against the internal surface of saidjoint by a central cone upon which said rollers ride, said cone beingmoved longitudinally relative to said rollers during said forging stepfor forcing said rollers laterally outwardly.
 43. A method as defined inclaim 23 wherein said connector and said second segment each have aflange fitting at one end and said second tubular segment is connectedto said connector by connecting said flange fittings together.
 44. Amethod as defined in claim 43 wherein said forging is effected byplacing a forging assembly into the connector end through the flangefitting of said connector.
 45. A method as defined in claim 44 furtherincluding the step of applying fluid pressure to a confined chamberdisposed externally of said first segment to test for leakage throughsaid joint.
 46. A method as defined in claim 24 wherein said connectorincludes a collar having an annular internal recess and said first andsecond segments are connected to said connector by forging the ends ofsaid segments into said annular recess.
 47. A method as defined in claim46 wherein a filling means is included within the end of at least one ofsaid segments and said segments are connected to said connector byforging the ends of said segments and said filling means laterallyoutwardly toward said collar.
 48. A method as defined in claim 47further including the step of applying fluid pressure to a confinedchamber disposed externally of said first segment to test for leakagethrough said joint.
 49. A method as defined in claim 40 wherein afilling means is included within the end of at least one of saidsegments and said segments are connected to said connector by forgingthe ends of said segments and said filling means laterally outwardlytoward said collar.
 50. A method as defined in claim 49 furtherincluding the step of applying fluid pressure to a confined chamberdisposed externally of said first segment to test for leakage throughsaid joint.
 51. A method as defined in claim 48 wherein a filling meansis included within the end of at least one of said segments and saidsegments are connected to said connector by forging the ends of saidsegments and said filling means laterally outwardly toward said collar.52. A method as defined in claim 34 wherein filling means is includedwithin the end of at least one of said segments and said segments areconnected to said connector by forging the ends of said segments andsaid filling means laterally outwardly toward said collar.
 53. A methodof connecting first and second tubular bodies together, each of saidbodies including at least one end portion and an end opening whichcommunicates with said end portion, said first body further including alongitudinally extending passage communicating with said first body endportion, said first body being receivable in said second body, therebeing indexing means for limiting the inward movement of the first bodyinto said second body, comprising the steps of:(a) placing said firstbody end portion into said second body end opening so that said endportions produce an overlapping joint area; (b) urging said firsttubular body into said second tubular body to effect engagement of saidindexing means; (c) restraining relative rotational movement of saidfirst and second tubular bodies and relative axial outward movement ofsaid first body from said second body with means operatively connectedto said first and second tubular bodies, and (d) forging said first bodylaterally outwardly against said second tubular body in the overlappingjoint area to form a joint which mechanically locks said first andsecond tubular bodies together.
 54. A method as defined in claim 53further including the step of forging said first body end portionlaterally outwardly into a locking recess formed in said second body.55. A method as defined in claim 53 further including the steps of:(a)placing the end portion of a third tubular body into a second endopening in said second body to form a second overlapping joint; and (b)forging said first and third bodies laterally outwardly in both saidoverlapping joint areas for forming a joint between said first, secondand third bodies.
 56. A method as defined in claim 55 further includingthe steps of adding filler means to said overlapping joint area as acomponent separate from said first body and indexing said first andthird bodies at predetermined locations relative to said second bodybefore said forging step is performed.
 57. A method as defined in claim53 wherein said forging includes the step of rolling a plurality ofrollers over the internal surface of said joint area while said rollersare forced laterally outwardly.
 58. The method of claim 53 wherein thereare filler means extending laterally inwardly from said passage withinsaid overlapping joint area, said filler means being forged laterallyoutwardly with said first body.
 59. A method as defined in claim 58further including the step of forging said filler means and said firstbody laterally outwardly until said joint has an internal opening ofsubstantially the same lateral dimensions as said first body passage.60. A method as defined in claim 59 further including the step offorging said first body end portion laterally outwardly into a lockingrecess formed in said second body.
 61. A method as defined in claim 60wherein said forging includes the step of rolling a plurality of rollersover the internal surface of said joint area while said rollers areforced laterally outwardly.
 62. A method as defined in claim 58 furtherincluding the step of applying pressurized fluid externally of saidjoint to test for joint leakage and repeating the forging step ifleakage is detected.